Locker



July 31, 1934.

F. THORNTON, JR

- LOCKER Filed Sept. 8, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'I-% guy-p 103M lNVE "FOR M '7 J 31, 9 F. THORNTON, JR 1,968,271

LOCKER Filed Sept. 8, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MINVENTORI lyqu Wfiflmda Patented July 31, 1934 PTENT OFFHE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to lockers, such as are employed in country clubs, gymnasiums and the like.

An object of this invention is the provision of a locker that provides more utilizable locker space for clothing, wearing apparel and etc., for a given amount of floor space than is provided by any prior art lockers of which I am aware.

Another object of the invention is the provision of lockers that shall require less floor space and ,at'the same time provide as much or moreusable aisle space with less floor space than is afforded by lockers now in wide use.

Other objects of the invention will, in part, be apparent and will, in part, be obvious from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view of two groups of lockers each group embodying a double row of individual lockers, arranged and constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the groups of lockers shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in front elevation of a locker such as embodied in the groups of lockers shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the doors thereof being shown in open position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in section illustrating the construction of the lower portion of two lockers of the type shown in Fig. 3, arranged back to back;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a locker embodying a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a View in section of the locker show in Fig. 5 taken on line VIVI thereof;

Fig. 7 is an end View of a double row of lockers illustrating a further modified form of the invention; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are views of a locker embodying the invention, and a locker of the prior art type, the views being placed in juxtaposition for the purposes of comparison.

Throughout the drawings and the specification like reference characters indicate like parts.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings two groups of lockers 1 and 2 are shown each group comprising double rows 3 and 4 of individual, similarly constructed lockers 5 arranged back to back and in side by side relation. The groups of lockers 1 and 2 are spaced apart to provide an aisle 6 therebetween. While only two groups of lockers are shown, it will be understood that any number of groups of lockers may be employed according to the number required in any given instance.

Each locker 5 is provided with double doors 7 and 8 mounted on hangers 9 disposed on opposite sides of the locker door opening as indicated more particularly in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. While double doors are illustrated, it will be appreciated that single doors may be employed also.

In order to conserve aisle space, and also to dispense with the. usual aisle benches, each locker is provided with a compartment 10 disposed near the bottom thereof that extends out- Wardly therefrom towards aisle 6. Compartments 10 may be utilized for storing shoes and the like. The front side walls and bottom walls of compartments 10 may be perforated as at 11 to provide free circulation of air. Thus in case wet shoes are placed in these compartments, the free circulation of air will aid in the drying thereof. Compartments 10 are each provided with a cover 12 hinged to the top of front compartment wall as at 13, and supported along the side edges on cleats 14.

Cover 12v while performing the function of a closure for compartment 10, also serves as a seat for the occupant of the locker. Since covers 12 may be used as seats or benches, the usual aisle benches are not necessary. Thus aisle 6 may be made narrower than the width of the aisles provided between groups of lockers constructed in accordance with the prior art.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 4, cover 12 of each locker extends inwardly of and is disposed below doors 7 and 8. Thus when the doors are closed and locked, covers 12 cannot be raised so as to open compartments 10, therefore, it is not necessary to provide locks for the covers. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the locker space of each locker 5 is of substantially L-shape in horizontal section so that, in effect two communicating compartments 15 and 16 are provided, one of which is deep and the other shallow by comparison.

Lockers 5 in rows 3 and 4, are disposed back to back in interfitting relation so that the shape of .the combined locker space, of any two lockers arranged back to back, is rectangular in transverse section. As shown, the deep and shallow compartments of the lockers placed back-to-back are disposed-in staggered relation.

Such compartment space arrangement is obtained by means of a partition wall 17, which is composed of parallel offset wall sections 18 and 19 connected by a portion 20 which is disposed at substantially right angles thereto.

By this arrangement, compartment 15 of each locker is relatively deep and compartment 16 relatively shallow. Thus the deep portion 15 may be utilized as space in which coats, suits, overcoats and the like may be hung. Compartment 15 being amply deep, the wearing apparel hung therein will not be crushed or crumpled when the doors are closed. The position in which overcoats, suits and the like hang in compartments 15 is indicated in broken lines in Fig. 7.

Suits, overcoats and the like may be hung in compartment 15 on hangers 22, suspended from rods 23. The rods are mounted on brackets 24 and 25 attached to the walls of the locker compartment (see Figs. 5 and 6). Rods 23 are disposed parallel to the front side of the lockers and transversely of compartments 15.

Shallow compartments 16 may be utilized for storing shorts, trunks, shirts and other similar wearing apparel which may be hung from Wall hooks 26.

Since there are two walls on which wall hooks may be mounted, lockers such as shown in the drawings afford sufficient space for articles of wearing apparel such as are ordinarily placed on hooks.

Fig. 8 of the drawings depicts lockers such as constructed in accordance with the invention, and Fig. 9 depicts prior art lockers drawn to the same scale. The lockers shown in Fig. 8 are of the same usable storage capacity as will be made apparent hereinafter. The saving in floor space that may be had with lockers of the design shown in Fig. 8 over lockers, such as shown in Fig. 9, is readily apparent by comparing Fig. 8 with Fig. 9. The depth of the lockers shown in Fig. 9 is represented by the dimension D and the width thereof is represented by the dimension W. Thus, the combined depth of the lockers is equal to 2D.

In order that coats, suits, overcoats and the like 'may be hung in lockers, such as shown in Fig. 9,

a rod R, indicated in broken lines, is usually provided. Also hooks are mounted on the back and side walls as indicated at H. In practice, only one-half of the width of prior art lockers is utilized for coats, suits, overcoats and the like which are hung from rod R by means of coat hangers such as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The depth D of prior art lockers is usually such that suits, coats, overcoats and the like, hung from rod R will not be wrinkled or crumpled when the doors are closed.

In lockers, such as illustrated in Fig. 9, the locker space not occupied by suits, overcoats and the like is used for storing such articles of wearing apparel as are hung from wall hooks H. Thus it will be apparent that much of the space in such lockers is wasted, and such wasted locker space necessarily entails wasted floor space.

As shown in Fig. 9 at least two side walls are provided with wall hooks 11. Some of these hooks, as shown, would be behind articles of wearing apparel such as would be hung from coat hangers. Therefore, when coat hangers, are occupied with clothing, the wall hooks behind the same have little or no utility as they are practically inaccessible. Also any articles of wearing apparel that may be hung on the wall hooks directly behind the coat hangers and the articles of wearing apparel hung therefrom, would tend "to diminish the space needed for the latter articles. From a practical standpoint, only such number of wall hooks as are mounted on the locker walls in the space not needed for suits, overcoats and the like, are necessary. Thus it will be apparent that as many wall hooks may be provided in lockers, such as shown in Fig. 8, as are really needed.

In Fig. 8, the width of lockers 5 is equal to the width of the lockers shown in Fig. 9; therefore this dimension is designated by the reference character W.

Since in practice only one-half of the width of the locker space is needed for accommodating suits, overcoats and the like, compartment 15 of each locker is so arranged that the width thereof is equal to Thus,the depth of locker compartments 15 is the same as the depth of the lockers L shown in Fig. 9, but the width thereof is These dimensions provide suflicient space for such articles of wearing apparel as are hung from coat hangers. Compartment 16 has a depth of and a width of Hence compartments of these dimensions afford sufiicient space for such articles of wearing apparel as are usually hung from wall hooks.

The overall depth of each locker 5 is equal to as compared to 2D, the overall depth of the lockers such as shown in Fig. 9. Thus the floor space saved per pair of lockers 5 equal to locker constructions such as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, will materially offset the cost of the lockers, because the cost of buildings per square foot of floor space in which the lockers are used, is materially higher than the cost of lockers per square foot.

In the constructions shown in Figs. 1 to 7, in-

elusive, the depth of the compartment 10, the

covers 12 of which are used as seats 'or benches, is equal to approximately Thus the aisle space, or the width of the aisles between lockers such as shown in Fig. 1 may be materially reduced as compared to the width of aisles provided between lockers of the prior art construction, referred to above. Thus, when the saving in aisle space and floor space is considered, lockers such as shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, olfer material savings in building construction, and such savings'will more than compensate for the cost of the lockers placed therein. 1

In case it is desired to provide'storage space in the top of each locker compartment for storage of such articles as fresh linen, hats, caps, etc., a shelf 28 may be mounted on the side walls of the locker compartment at some convenient point above wall hooks 26 and hanger rods 23.

In some instances it may be desirable to provide the lockers, such as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, with a lockerette in which valuables or other articles may be kept under lock and key, when the main doors are open. In Figs. 5 and 6 a lockerette is shown in which shelf 28 forms the bottom wall, and sections 18 and 20 of partition 17, and a portion of the locker side wall form the side Walls thereof. Compartment 30 is provided with a door 31 mounted on hinges 32. Door 31 may be provided with a lock 33 so that the occupant of the locker may place his valuables, or other articles which he wishes to protect, in compartment 30, close the door and lock it in its closed position, and feel reasonably sure that the aforementioned articles will not be molested in his absence even though doors '7 and 8 are unlocked.

The lockerette or compartment 30 may be formed as a standard part of the locker shown in the drawings or it may be dispensed with according to the needs and requirements of the users. The lockers shown in Figs. 5 and 6, except for the lockerette, are in other respects similar in construction to the lockers shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

In Fig. '7 of the drawings, an end view of a group of lockers such as indicated at 1 and 2 of Fig. 1 is shown in which compartments 10 and covers 12 are replaced by seats 34 which are supported on brackets 35 appropriately attached to the bottom portions of the lockers. Seats 34 are disposed directly below the locker doors and serve as seats for the locker occupants.

Seats 34, shown in connection with the lockers of Fig. 7 may be individual to each locker, or the seats may be continuous across a plurality of lockers. In some cases the seats may be continuous over the entire length of a row of lockers.

The seats for the various lockers may be attached to the locker assembly as shown or they may be disposed in front of the same. In any case, the doors may be of such length that they will swing over the top of the seats as shown in the drawings.

Thus in the several views of the drawings, lockers are disclosed which are provided with doors which terminate, at the bottom, at a predetermined distance above the bottom wall of the locker and at a suitable distance from the floor of the building in which the lockers would be placed. The bottom edge of the locker doors being disposed at some suitable distance from the bottom wall of the locker, or at a suitable distance from the building floor, seats may be disposed alongside the front walls of the lockers of such height as to insure comfort to the 'user and still permit the doors to swing Over the top thereof as shown.

Lockers of the type herein disclosed provide more storage space for suits, overcoats and the like and more storagespace for miscellaneous articles for a given floor space than other types of lockers heretofore known in which the shape of the' locker compartments is of rectangular form in transverse section. While the lockers herein disclosed provide more storage space, less floorspace is required for a given number of lockers than is required by prior art lockers; also less floor space is required because narrower aisles may be provided since the usual aisle benches are not required where locker constructions, such as disclosed, are employed.

It will readily be appreciated by 'those skilled in this particular art that various modifications and changes'may be made in the lockers herein disclosed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed on the invention as are imposed by the prior art and the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A locker of such height as to accommodate garments which may be hung therein, having side and back'walls, a door in the front wall, and an auxiliary compartment disposed at the bottom of the front wall of said locker and extending outwardly therefrom, said auxiliary compartment having a cover at the top which is hinged to the front wall thereof, the auxiliary compartment being of such height that the cover serves conveniently as a seat, said cover having the side opposite its hinged side disposed under the locker door when in closed position, so that when the locker door and the compartment cover are each in closed position, the cover may not be opened.

2. A locker structure having side, top and bottom walls, opposite front walls, doors in the front walls, the distance between the front walls being materially less than the distance between the front walls of two prior art lockers placed back to back, and a partition wall intermediate the front walls providing oppositely disposed lockers of such shape as to form in each locker, a space having a depth equal approximately to the depth of prior art lockers and an adjoining space having a depth equal to approximately one-half the depth of prior art lockers, the height of said adjoining spaces of each locker being such as to accommodate garments that may be hung therein.

3. In combination, a locker having top, bottom and side walls, and a door in the front wall, a back wall for said locker of such shape and construction that a locker compartment having two communicating spaces is formed in the locker,

said spaces being of such height as to accom modate garments that may be hung therein, one of said spaces being greater in depth than the other and said depth being greater than the breadth of the shoulders of the average size man,

and an auxiliary compartment formed in the top of said one space, having a door therefor which may be locked, thereby providing a locker in which wearing apparel may be disposed and an interior auxiliary locker in which valuables or the like may be kept under lock and key.

4. A locker assembly having a partition wall extending from one side wall to the other so constructed and arranged as to form two sep arate lockers of L-shape, of equal size, thus providing in each locker a relatively deep space for accommodating suits, overcoats, and the like, and a shallow space for other articles of wearing apparel which are usually hung on wall hooks, a door for each locker and an auxiliary compartment disposed at the bottom of each of said lockers and extending outwardly therefrom, each auxiliary compartment having a cover at the top thereof hinged to the front wall thereof said covers serving as seats for the occupants of the lockers and as closures for the auxiliary compartments, said auxiliary compartment covers being held in closed position by the locker doors when in closed position.

5. A locker structure having side, top and bottom walls, opposite front walls, doors in the front walls, and a partition intermediate the front Walls of such shape as to provide oppositely disposed lockers of substantially L-shape in horizontal section, the partition forming a common rear wall for the lockers.

6. A locker structure having side, top and bottom walls, opposite front walls, doors in the front walls, and a partition intermediate the front,

walls, said partition having two spaced parallel sections connected at their inner vertical edges by an intersecting section so as to provide 0ppositely disposed lockers of substantially L-shape in horizontal section, the partition forming a common rear wall for the lockers.

7. A locker structure having side, top and bottom Walls, opposite front walls, doors in the front walls, and a partition intermediate the front walls, said partition having two spaced parallel FRANK THORNTON, JR, 

